San
Joaquin County
Biographies
JACKSON B. DEATON
An expert in the line of automobile
painting, who has also specialized in monogram and lettering work of the finest
type, Jackson B. Deaton has built up a record business in Stockton since
locating here in 1919. A native of
Missouri, Mr. Deaton was born in Cass County, March 18, 1886, the son of
William P. and Louisa E. (Daniels) Deaton.
William P. was born in Kentucky and was a pioneer in Missouri and in
looking for a location he traveled in the primitive way, with ox team, through
Iowa in the early ‘50s when there were no railroads and the country was
infested with Indians, and he had some interesting experiences on the
frontier. Settling in Missouri he farmed
and when the Civil War broke out he served over four years with the Union
Army. Once his horse was shot from under
him and again a bullet shattered a watch he carried, but neither bullet
penetrated his body. In 1887 he settled
in Howell County, Missouri, and there he answered the final roll call in
1896. In 1900 the mother and her five
children removed to Des Moines, Iowa, and there she died in 1918.
Jackson B. Deaton, the only member
of the family in California, received his education in the public schools of
Missouri and Iowa, laying the foundation for his future usefulness and in 1901
he apprenticed himself to learn the painter’s trade with the Baker Carriage
Company of Des Moines, receiving as a wage the sum of five cents an hour. Next he was with the Kratzer
Carriage Company, remaining with them for more than ten years, then going into
business for himself in Des Moines, opening up a carriage and auto painting
shop, this being his first experience in the latter field. In 1914 Mr. Deaton entered the employ of the
Matthews Carriage Company at Des Moines and for five years was foreman of their
painting department, and here he gained a valuable experience in lettering and
fine monogram work. He was next with the
Payne Motor Car Company in charge of their painting department for a year, and
spent the same length of time with the Packard Motor Company at Des Moines,
remaining there until he came to California.
On November 1, 1919, Mr. Deaton
opened up in business for himself in commodious quarters on the second floor of
the Studebaker Garage Building on Sutter Street and East Miner Avenue and on February
1, 1920, he bought the property and business established by John A. Merz at 732
East Lafayette Street. He started in to
give his customers the best class of work and he attributes his splendid
success to the fact that he has lived up to his motto, “Give every man dollar
for dollar.” He personally inspects all
the work done and still does all the lettering and monogram work himself, every
job being given the most painstaking care, so that it is easy to understand the
large patronage he receives.
While a resident of Iowa Mr. Deaton
was married to Miss Emma Green, a native of that state, and they make their
home in Stockton. As a member of the San
Joaquin Auto Trades Association, Mr. Deaton takes an active interest in its
programs and for some time was a member of the executive committee of that
body. His membership in the Masons is in
Lodge No. 370, Des Moines, Iowa, and he belongs to the Stockton Pyramid of the
Sciots, to the Lions Club, the Kiwanis Club, and the Sons of Veterans. While in Des Moines, Iowa, Mr. Deaton was a
member of the Y. M. C. A. preliminary officer’s training school, but the
Armistice came before he was called.
Transcribed by V. Gerald Iaquinta.
Source: Tinkham, George
H., History of San Joaquin County, California , Pages
1428-1431. Los Angeles, Calif.: Historic
Record Co., 1923.
© 2012 V. Gerald Iaquinta.
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